Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service has rescued over 240 people attempting to reach the Canary Islands, as the small island of El Hierro faces increasing pressure from a surge in migrant arrivals. The worsening crisis has necessitated the deployment of additional rescue resources.
The recent uptick in migrant arrivals has forced Salvamento Marítimo to reinforce its operations in the area. On Tuesday, a new rescue vessel, the Salvamar Acrux, was deployed to support the existing Salvamar Adhara in managing the increased number of maritime emergencies.
Two cayucos carry hundreds towards El Hierro
Two cayucos—small wooden boats used for perilous ocean crossings—were intercepted near El Hierro on Tuesday. This was confirmed by sources from the Maritime Rescue Service, Salvamento Marítimo. The first boat, carrying 77 individuals, was spotted approximately 24 kilometres south of the island. Onboard were 63 men, 9 women, and 5 children, none of whom required hospitalisation after being brought ashore by the Salvamar Adhara vessel.
A second cayuco was also found roughly 24 kilometres off El Hierro, sighted by a passing yacht. This time, it held 165 people, including 20 women and 2 minors. Emergency services have reported that the majority of those on board were men, with indications that some of the passengers originated from Yemen.
El Hierro as Europe’s new migration frontline
El Hierro is the smallest of Spain’s Canary Islands. However, it has seen a dramatic rise in arrivals by sea. Over 4,000 migrants arrived in just the past month alone, compared to fewer than 500 during the same period last year. Moreover, this surge is part of a wider wave of migration to the archipelago. 2024 saw a total of over 30,000 arrivals so far, putting significant pressure on resources. Local authorities in the Canaries are under increasing strain. They deal with limited capacity to accommodate the growing number of vulnerable individuals making the dangerous journey across the Atlantic.